Adapted from Ina Garten and Martha Stewart’s pumpkin cupcakes, this recipe has always been a favorite for me. Amazingly enough I even prefer it to pumpkin pie because it’s so moist, delicious and easy to make!
The cupcake recipe is kid-friendly, just a few bowls and a whisk is all you’ll need.
I was thrilled to have them featured in a local magazine, Good Life Magazine, and thank Katherine Elphick for the lovely article, and Ellie Kistemaker for the fantastic photographs!
It was fun to watch Ellie work and am grateful for the photography tips and tricks she shared with me!
The topper is also inspired by Martha’s version here. So quick and easy to make, they’re perfect for anything autumn or Halloween themed. If you’d like to make them, the recipes are below and here’s a little pumpkin how-to:
How to Make Pumpkin Toppers
You’ll Need:
- fondant or gum paste
- orange and brown gel paste coloring (green optional)
- toothpick
- royal icing (optional)
Here’s a quick visual summary for you:
And in more detail…
Instructions:
1. For the pumpkin garnishes, color a small amount of fondant orange.
You can vary the amounts as not all pumpkins are the same size, but as a guideline, I used approximately 10 g or 0.30 ounces.
2. Between the palms of your hands, roll the fondant into a ball.
3. Poke a hole in the top of each with a toothpick and rotate in a circular motion, creating an opening for the pumpkin stem.
4. Score lines into each pumpkin with a toothpick from top to bottom.
I go around a few times until I’m happy with the shape.
The batch on the left, below, was made with a little less food coloring. Make yours as bright or pale as you like by playing with the amount of color you add.
5. If the hole in the pumpkin is deep enough and the stems narrow enough at the base, the stems will stay inserted into the pumpkin, but for some added security, add a dab of royal icing inside the hole to act as a sweet glue.
6. Color a small amount of fondant brown. Roll tiny bits into stem shapes, score a few lines into the stem with a paring knife or toothpick and insert into the tops of the pumpkins.
7. Pumpkin Leaf – {Optional} Pictorial summary above and for detailed instructions click here).
Enjoy the recipe!
Pumpkin Cupcake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin ppurée
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger, into a medium bowl.
- In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin purée, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Add the flour mixture and stir until combined.
- Divide the batter among the muffin tin and bake for about 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Set pumpkin cupcakes aside to cool completely. These are delicious frosted with cream cheese icing or just as is!
Notes
Maple Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients
- 254 grams 1 block) cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/2 lb unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 tbs real maple syrup
- 1 lb icing sugar
Instructions
- Cream the cream cheese, butter and maple syrup in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Slowly add the icing sugar and beat until smooth.
- Once your cupcakes are cool, ice them with a butter knife or large piping bag and tip of your choice. (I used a large round tip – Ateco #809).
Hope this inspires you to try a new pumpkin recipe or do some fall baking. Do you have any pumpkin recipe favorites?
Share your thoughts with me here in the comment section below, or you can share them on Facebook or twitter.
Happy decorating!
xo,
Marian
Cindy Clogston says
These look and sound amazing. I’m definitely going to make these for Thanksgiving as an alternative to pumpkin pie, which I hate (it’s a texture thing).
Martha says
I have made these cupcakes twice already this fall and both times I received rave reviews. They are extraordinarily moist and full of pumpkin flavor. I did have lots of frosting left over, so a great deal of it found its way onto the tip of my finger; you know, just a little taste. If anyone asks me if I can recommend a fall themed dessert that is easy to make I will send them this way.
marian says
I hear you, @ Cindy Clogston!
Yay! So glad to know, @ Martha. 🙂
Kim says
My friend and I were wondering if maple cream cheese icing and pumpkin cupcakes would work out. 🙂 Well, I’m definitely glad we don’t have to experiment now. I cannot wait to make these! Thank you!
Jamie says
These are fab! I made a batch last night and was so pleased at how simple they were to make(my 3yr old helped)and so moist.I was wondering if I was to bake in a cake pan what size should I use? and should I seperate the batter into two pans?
marian says
I love when that happens too, @ Kim! Have fun baking them. 🙂
Hi @ Jamie: I haven’t made it these in a cake pan before, sorry! I can try a guess though; try a 9 inch pan… If the batter starts to fill more than 3/4 of the height of the pan (does that make sense? do you know what I mean?), split the batter into two (9 inch) pans. Please do let me know how it goes! xo
Robyn says
I just made these and they’re great! I will note that I halved the cream cheese icing recipe and had some left over even after frosting twelve cupcakes pretty generously. I would definitely think the icing is more appropriate for two dozen at the volumes printed here.
Erin says
@ Cheryl:
Hi, not sure where in Aus you live but I am in Melbourne and you can get canned pumpkin from the USA food store. They also deliver Aus wide. Check their website. They may also be able to tell you if they supply to any stores in your area as they import and supply a lot of products to other stores.
Deanna Williams says
Hi Marian! So I made a slight variation of these last week, they were great! How do you get that perfect circle of frosting, like a cloud or pillow!?
I tried swirling with a large round tip but it came out sloppy. Maybe you held it in the center and applied pressure until it fluffed up high enough?
I need to know!
Thanks 🙂
marian says
Super, @ Robyn, thanks so much for your input!
Hi @ Deanna Williams: I used a really large round tip (Ateco #808), and, just as you said, I held it in the center and went around. Here is a video on how I do it, (different piping tips shown though):
https://sweetopia.net/2012/04/buttercream-frosting-recipe-an-untold-sugar-flower-secret-revealed/
Hope that helps!
Nikki says
These are fantastic cupcakes! But I was wondering if this recipe could be made into pumpkin bread and if so do you have to change any ingredients? Thank you!
Marian says
Hi @ Nikki, I haven’t tried it but I don’t see why not! Maybe use a little loaf pan like one you might use for banana bread. Let me know how it goes please. 🙂
Katelyn says
I’m in the process of making these right now….for the frosting is it 1/2 pound of butter (2 sticks) or is it supposed to be 1/2 cup (1 stick)?
marian says
Hi @ Katelyn: Both ways works, no problem. With 2 sticks definitely has more of cream cheese taste and is less sweet. Hope you like it!
Nicky says
Stumbled across your recipe, and made these yesterday using some leftover pumpkin I had – I just wanted to thank you, thank you, and THANK YOU again, for this incredible recipe… I will be making these over and over again. Unbelievable texture and wonderful flavour. Definitely going into my “favourites” folder!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
@ Nicky: That’s so great to hear! Thanks!!
Jennifer says
I made these for a family event this past weekend (just plain cream cheese frosting) and everyone loved them. They were inhaled. I have been trying a lot of pumpkin cupcake/cake recipes and this one is the best. It tastes just like pumpkin pie, but had the consistency of the perfect cupcake. And it’s easy! (It doubled just fine.) Now I can stop looking for the right recipe!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Yay! I’m glad you liked it Jennifer!
Macarons says
Hi Marian, your pumpkin cupcakes looks fantastic and delicious. Surely will try out this cupcakes recipe and your incredible pumpkin’s fondant, i bet will have a lots fun.
jessica says
what do you mean by 1lb on the unsalted butter and icing sugar? is it like the whole tub or bag? soory still new to baking! thanks!!
marian says
Hi Jessica,
1 lb means one pound or 2.2 kg. You’d need a scale to weigh it out, or, if you’re buying the icing sugar at a bulk store, they have scales to weigh there. Weighing is the most accurate way to measure items, so if you’d like to bake more in the future, it’s a great investment btw. Good luck!
Michelle says
Hi there! I would like to use this recipe for a cake instead of cupcakes and I was just wondering if the frosting crusts at all? I’d like to use the Viva method to smooth it, do you think that will work with this frosting?
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi Michelle, sorry I missed your question earlier! It doesn’t really crust like a buttercream or frosting does – if anything it gets softer at room temp (of course depending on the temp you’re in).
Jessica says
Hi!
Gonna try this recipe on Saturday. Just a question, I do not use all purpose flour, instead I use Self Rising; I think its substitute de baking soda, baking powder and salt portions, right?
marian says
Hi Michelle,
Sorry my answer is late! Didn’t see it until now!
I don’t interchange self-rising with all purpose flour, as I like to control the amount of leavening agent (baking powder etc.) which goes in my recipe. How did they turn out for you?
Michelle says
Marian, first of all, I love your work, it has been much inspiration to me. Though I have been baking for years, I’m new to the “business” of it and relatively new to cookies. I am having trouble with cream cheese icing. I don’t even know how to explain the flavor of the many recipes I have tried. Going to try this one, but I can’t seem to get that rich sweet taste of the higher end restaurants. Any suggestions? Do you think mascarpone cheese vs regular cream cheese is the issue?
marian says
Hi Michelle, I find this one quite sweet as well, but paired with the cupcake, it’s nice, in my humble opinion. If you’d like yours less sweet, yes, try mascarpone, or increase the amount of cream cheese and lessen the amount of icing sugar.
araceli armenta says
intentare hacer para practicar el glass no me sale me queda muy aguado
bouillon de notes says
Thank you for this gorgeous cupcake, the recipe well explained, and the pictures are absolutely awesome, have a nice day, liên
Tammy says
Wow…these are fantastic! Just made a double batch and they came out perfectly. Can’t wait to try them with the icing.
Thanks so much for this recipe:-)
marian says
Yay! Glad you like them!
Thanks for the comments everyone!
Ivana says
I really Like your work! I wonder if you could tell me how to manage frosting to be firm? Thank you in advance
marian says
Hi Ivana,
Putting it in the fridge firms it up. Have fun decorating!
Brisis says
So I made these yesterday and they are soooo delicious and easy to make. The frosting was awesome too. I usually don’t like cheese based frostings, but this was had the right amount of cheese and sweetness. My mom piscked up a dozen last night and by morning only 1 was left!
I do have to say, that this is my first time using fondant. I was only able to make like 3 pumpkins. It was just too time consuming and my 2 year old would not let me finish them.
How do you keep the fondant from becoming shiny and glossy looking. It did not come out matte like in your picture. Any tips would help.
PS. Love, LOVE, love you website! Everything is so pretty and delicious.
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi Brisis,
I’m so glad you like them!
Add more corn starch or icing sugar to your hands or the surface to help matten it a bit. If your environment is humid that makes it a bit harder to work with as well. Thanks so much for your lovely comments!
Teresa says
Mariam,
I have made this recipe several times and everyone loves them! I am even making it for my daughter’s wedding cake this Saturday! I have a question: this cake will be a 14″ round (2nd tier from bottom, setting on a 16″ with a 9″ and 6″ on top of this tier. Would you recommend making this recipe more dense (to help support the top 2 tiers), or leaving it as is? For each tier,I will be using a support system of plastic rods and dowels with cake plates that sit in the rods for each tier. I am concerned about the density as I’ve been told that the bottom tiers should be a more dense cake. (fyi…bottom tier/16″ is white almond sour cream, then the 14″ pumpkin, 9″ chocolate, with 6″ anniversary tier the pumpkin) I hope I have made sense! Thank you again!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi Teresa! I’m so sorry I missed your comment in time! How did everything go?
Michele says
Hi!
I love these cupcakes! I think someone else asked this but I couldn’t find an answer. I’d like to make this into a cake for cake pops. If I just use these amounts, what size cake pan would work and how long would I need to bake it?
Thanks!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi Michele,
I haven’t used this recipe to make cake pops, so am not 100% sure, but I’m guessing a 9 inch round pan would work. Please let me know if you try it, how it goes. Thanks!
Lourdes says
Hi, Marian. These cupcakes look delicious! Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar?
Yesterday I made Banana Cupcakes, and the recipe asked for granulated sugar, but instead I used brown sugar. Im not sure if that was the reason why they didn’t rise as they were supposed to 🙁 Help, please!
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi Lourdes,
Baking can often be finicky, in that exact measurements need to be used for the recipe to turn out. I haven’t tried this one with brown sugar, so can’t tell you for sure, sorry!
Kim says
Marian, what kind of all-purpose flour do you use for your pumpkin cupcakes?
Marian (Sweetopia) says
Hi Kim,
I don’t have a preference at the moment, but may have use Robin Hood flour for these. (Is that what you meant, the brand?).